Author Topic: 22 Hornet? (Read 853 times)

ajshoots · « **on:** March 28, 2006, 09:36:21 AM »

I have been wanting one for awhile now, and finally decided that I am going to buy one. After looking at the other rifles chambered in Hornet, I have decided to go the NEF route after very good luck with the last 4 NEF rifles I have bought. My question is about ammo. I have reloading equipment, but have no real desire to reload with the quality and accuracy of factory ammo. Will the Handi Hornet shoot factory ammo accurately? I am not interested in .5 inch groups. 1inch to 1.5 inch would suit me just fine. I would like to shoot the 35gr Hornady v-max if they will shoot decent. This will be strictly a varmint gun out to 150 yds.

mitchell · « **Reply #1 on:** March 28, 2006, 09:52:14 AM »

i shot the 35's in handloads and they shot great and i hear the factory load shoots good too but its had to find and quite expensive most of the time.

If you do try hand loading for it youll like it more then you think. The 22 hornet is cheap to load and very forgiving

9x19 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 28, 2006, 11:05:19 AM »

Mine shoots the Sellier & Bellot 45 grain soft points pretty well... groups hover right around the inch mark with that load, and its reasonably priced for factory ammo.

ScatterGunner · « **Reply #3 on:** March 28, 2006, 12:05:18 PM »

if you REALLY like to reload, the lyman 225415 is an excellent cast bullet for the hornet. it's about 50 grains or so with wheel weights, but shoots great.

sg

Hunternz · « **Reply #4 on:** March 28, 2006, 11:05:55 PM »

The Hornet is a great round to reload, cheap too. My Martini wouldn't shoot factory ammo under 2", but Winchester brass, small pistol primers (warning!!! pistol primers are softer and some rifles firing pins may pierce the primers), winchester 296 powder and scierra 40gr hollow points give sub moa groups.Its been written that Hodgson "little Gun" powder is a really good powder for the hornet as well.
Regards Howard.

shaner · « **Reply #5 on:** March 29, 2006, 12:34:16 AM »

i like the hornets , i have 2 in nef and they shoot great , the hornet round works good around my area, shorter range less noise, and they work, ive used about all bullets and havent found anything i can t stand , get one an have fun, if you wantto make money on the brass sell me your brass and buy your factory ammo

rock-steady · « **Reply #6 on:** March 30, 2006, 02:27:16 AM »

I've been loading and shooting a Hornet for many years, mostly in a Ruger M77/II bolt-action. I recently got a NEF 22 Hornet and mounted a Weaver K6 on it. I've tried bullets from 33gr TNT's to 55gr BT's. Mine prefers the old 45gr SP and 46gr HP designed for the Hornet. Last weekend, I floated the barrel with a neoprene ring around the barrel lug, and will try some more handloads this weekend.

Nixter · « **Reply #7 on:** March 31, 2006, 07:14:27 AM »

Hey rock, what was your experience with the 33gr TNT's? What kind of load did you use and were they accurate?

With a bullet this light it seems one could make 22 Super Mag load so to speak.

I've only tried the 35gr V-Max so far. Need to sit down with these and test for accuracy. They play heck on soda cans filled with water at 80 yards, that's the only testing I've done with them so far.

Thanks for your time.

Nixter

shaner · « **Reply #8 on:** April 01, 2006, 01:40:03 AM »

you can go lighter if you go with the james calhoon bullets if i remember right he has some 27 gr double hollow points havent tried them though